Beware of Apple charging for FREE apps on iTunes

[Jessica Lares]

If Google can certainly do this, why can't Apple?

Google does it because there's too much fragmentation to the point that developers can't test on every device. That isn't the case with Apple.

The problem with demos/trials is that it gives you too much time to hesitate. I have about 20 apps and games on my Windows Phone that I haven't bought yet that are on trial mode. Most people will load up on 100 game demos, and then never buy most of them. So you're wasting them bandwidth AND a sale.

 

[djtech42]

Suggestion for Apple:

When user clicks on a free app, say "get app" instead of "buy app."

For confirmation, say "are you sure you want to download this app for free?" or if it is paid, "are you sure you want to buy this app for [price]?"

That would solve this issue.

 

[nightstalkerz]

Suggestion for Apple:

When user clicks on a free app, say "get app" instead of "buy app."

For confirmation, say "are you sure you want to download this app for free?" or if it is paid, "are you sure you want to buy this app for [price]?"

That would solve this issue.

I don't see how this would solve anything.

If it says free to the user, it's just gonna ask of you want this free app. It's just making getting apps a bit more hassle.

And it's going to cause confusion if the prompt gave a different price than the button due to caching which is exactly what this issue is.

 

[djtech42]

I don't see how this would solve anything.

If it says free to the user, it's just gonna ask of you want this free app. It's just making getting apps a bit more hassle.

And it's going to cause confusion if the prompt gave a different price than the button due to caching which is exactly what this issue is.

How is it more hassle? It is the same number of steps. It just displays a different message that is more appropriate for free apps.

My point is that instead of never telling you it is not free, it would at least warn you even if it is cached. When you click on the button, it would connect again to refresh the price. If you go through with it after that, it is your fault.